We caught up with Dr Williams to ask him about progress with the UK Space Agency, co-operation with Europe and the US, human spaceflight, and inspiring the next generation of British engineers, scientists and astronauts.

Flying damaged aircraft safely, remote control of hijacked aircraft and explosion-proof luggage containers. Bill Read reports on some of the safety and security topics covered on the fourth day of the ICAS conference in Nice

Rerouting aircraft to avoid creating contrails, taxiing aircraft using hydrogen from waste products and a personal aircraft that anyone can fly - it could all happen in the future. Bill Read reports from the third day of the ICAS conference in Nice on the latest research into ways to reduce the effect of aircraft on the environment

One of the current challenges in the development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has been how to fly small UAVs at low altitudes without collisions. Bill Read reports from the second day of the International Council of Aeronautical Sciences ICAS conference in Nice on some of the latest research into UAV control systems, including a remarkable research experience conducted using robotic sharks.

Aircraft of the future may look very different from the conventional designs of today. Bill Read reports from Day 1 of the International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences (ICAS) conference in Nice which included research on some concepts as electrically-powered passenger aircraft, flying cars, hydrogen-powered cargo aircraft and an airship shaped like a doughnut.

Looking like a cross between a flying lawnmower and something out of a scifi film like Dune, the revolutionary FanWing rotary aircraft concept may be about to enter a new phase if wind-tunnel testing proves a modified design gives increased speed.

Can aviation safety be enhanced by always-on flight data telemetry being transmitted back to base? With growing connectivity in the air – some argue that it is time that the traditional airliner ‘black box’ gets connected.

Aerospace International talks to the Rt Hon Gerald Howarth, MP for Aldershot, Minister for International Security Strategy at the Ministry of Defence and a private pilot, about this year’s Farnborough Airshow, encouraging young people into the industry and why UK aerospace and defence exports will lead the way out of the deficit.

This is a full article published in Aerospace International: September 2010